You're at risk for noise-induced hearing loss

10:51 PM,
Oct. 7, 2013

About 36 million Americans have hearing loss.

Written by

Maura Chippendale, M.Ed., FAAA
American Academy of Audiology

Did you know that you can permanently lose your hearing from exposure to loud noise?

Thirty-six million Americans have hearing loss; 1 in 3 developed their hearing loss as a result of exposure to noise, causing noise-induced hearing loss.

Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells that are found in our inner ear. Hair cells are small sensory cells that convert the sounds we hear (sound energy) into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot grow back, causing permanent hearing loss. It can result from prolonged exposure to loud ...